Challenge to Government

D SANKAR RAJ

Your editorials and the recent two part-article by Lt Gen Jacob should be read by all Indians and India’s well wishers who should force the Government of India to do something very positive, very soon and very effective to secure the entire North East. There are small wars going on in Nagaland, Manipur and Assam etc against the established authority and every now and then Army, the Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force jawans (and civilians also) are ambushed and killed and their arms looted by militants for further armed acts of terrorism.

How long should the security forces have to let the jawans die without adequate opportunity to defend themselves and the parts of the country they are supposed to make safe for law abiding people? Obviously, the security forces have not been given a free hand to crush the militant activities and the Government lacks the will to tackle insurgency and low level wars with determination.

No country in the world with a Government worthy of its authority and clear goals would allow these acts ofand armed defiance continue. These guerrilla tactics aided and abetted, obviously, by enemies of India and peace, must be demoralizing to the security forces also and to the general public. How could a Government tolerate this kind of militancy that is eating into the vitals of the entire country! The administration is not confined to New Delhi or Guwahati or Imphal or Kohima, the Capitals, but also should be effectively visible in other areas. Every small town and village also should feel that their Government is fully behind them in protecting and safeguarding their life, property, present and also their future.

It’s a pity that the rulers are only concerned with their own security (Special Protection Groups etc) and their own future (in Government). This is height of irresponsibility, insensitivity and dereliction of duty by the elected Governments.

Is there a way to force the rulers to behave, do their duty toward the people and not allow separatists, rebels and other militants to inflict losses on the soldiers and property? In some areas the guerrilla groups are collecting taxes also and running a parallel administration. Shame on the elected Governments and the Ministers and also on the lawmakers who can not force the Government to do its duty.

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